The Nature of Life: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives from Philosophy and Science

by Mark A. Bedau , Carol E. Cleland

• ISBN13: 9780521517751
• ISBN10: 0521517753
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-11-08
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

"Bringing together the latest scientific advances and some of the most enduring subtle philosophical puzzles and problems, this book collects original historical and contemporary sources to explore the wide range of issues surrounding the nature of life. Selections ranging from Aristotle and Descartes to Sagan and Dawkins are organised around four broad themes covering classical discussions of life, the origins and extent of natural life, contemporary artificial life creations and the definition and meaning of 'life' in its most general form. Each section is preceded by an extensive introduction connecting the various ideas discussed in individual chapters and providing helpful background material for understanding them. With its interdisciplinary perspective, this fascinating collection is essential reading for scientists and philosophers interested in astrobiology, synthetic biology and the philosophy of life"--

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Sources

About the authors

Introduction

Classical Discussions of Life

De Anima (selections)

Treatise on Man

Critique of the Teleological Power of Judgment (selections)

What is Life? (selections)

The nature of life

What is the meaning of 'life'?

The Principles of Life (selections)

The Origin and Extent of Natural Life

The origin of life: a review of facts and speculation

Small molecule interactions were central to the origin of life

Are the different hypotheses on the emergence of life as different as they seem?

The universal nature of biochemistry Norman Pace

Is there a common chemical model for life in the universe?

Searching for life in the universe: lessons from Earth

The possibility of alternative microbial life on Earth

Introduction to the limits of organic life in planetary systems National Research Council of the National Academies

Artificial Life and Synthetic Biology

Learning from functionalism: prospects for strong artificial life

Life, 'artificial life', and scientific explanation

Alien life: how would we know?

Automatic design and manufacture of robotic life forms

A giant step towards artificial life?

Approaches to semi-synthetic minimal cells: a review

Creating 'real life' Evelyn

Defining and Explaining Life

Definitions of life

The seven pillars of life

A universal definition of life: autonomy and open-ended evolution

Does 'life' have a definition?

Sentient symphony

Defining life

Universal Darwinism

What is life? Was Schrödinger right?

Four puzzles about life

Supplemental bibliography on life

Index

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